Roman myth and symbol of power Flashcards
roman standardfs, ad locutio
What was Augustus’ background? When was he born?
63 BC - born
Named after his father : Gaius Octavius Thruinus
He enjoyed a life in an aristocratic family
When did Julius Caesar die?
44BC
Who killed JC?
Cassius and Brutus
Why did Octavian change his name?
In order to honour his dad as he was named JC’s adoptive son.
It changed from Gaius Octavius Thurinus to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius Thurinus
What did Octavian beocme in 43BC? how old was he?
he was 20.
He was made consul after defeating MA and driving JC’s assassins into exile
what vow did Augustus make when JC died?
He promised to avenge his father’s death
what is a consul
the most important public official in ROme, after the emperor; two consuls were elected annually
What actually happened with MA and Augustus?
MA tried to take control over the state with Caesar’s army.
2. The senate asked Octavian to donate his troops to the senate’s army.
3. the battle was won by the senate and as a reward Augustus demanded that he woudl be named consul.
4. The senate then refused so Augustus marched into Rome with his army
5. With few other chouices, the senate granted him the consulship under the guidance of Cicero, a roman senator
what did Octavian do as consul? what complicated this? who did he have to form an alliance with?
he made Brutus and Cassius enemies of the state
The senate recalled them form the east, where they had gathered a huge army.
Octavisn formed an alliance with MA and Marcus Lepidus, a roman general.
They travelled to greece and defeated B and C in 43BC at the battle of Phillipi
B and C comitted suicide
Why did Octavian from the Second Triumvirate and why?
With Mark Anthony and Marcus Lepidus (a roman general). they combined their armies to defeat Brutus and Cassius in 43BC
why was MA such a powerful rival to octavian for power?
MA was a war hero who fought for the greatness of ROme with Caesar and he was popular.
What happened after the Second Triumvirate defeated their enemy?
they ruled Rome for 10 eyars in relative peace. Howecee, greed and jealousy soured their relationship. Lepidus was accused of inciting a revolt in 36 BC, leaving MA and Agustus together
What was the turning point which allowed Octavian to declare was on Anthony in 32 BC?
Octavian obtained MA’s will from the temple of vestals in 32BC.
Ghis revealed that he had married Cleopatra, and upon his death woudl leave all of Roman’s eastrern provinces to her and his children by her.
This enraged the ROman poeple and allowed Octavian to declare war
Where was Cleopatra form?
Egypt
When did Octavian defeat MA? WHat happened?
in 31BC Octavian defeated MA and cleopatra in the battle fo Actium and by 30BC they had both committed suicite
Aftet the battle of Actium, to whom did Octavian set up a temple to?
Apollo
To whom did Octavian claim he handed ovet the power after defeating MA?
the senate and roman people, hwever, using careful self promotion and leagning from the mistaks fo his predecessors (giving themselves titles indicating king/dictator)
what is res gestae?
the things Octavian achieved. this propaganda was made by AUgustus and was displayed in public areas in latin and greek
how did Octavian’s name change? whern?
in 27 BC the senate gave him the religious name Augustus, which means venerable, esteemed, and respected
what is the phrase, meaning firt among equals?
primus inter pares
why was Augustus so keen to stress that he was primus inter pares and not a dictator, like JC had styled himself as?
This woudl have caused Tension and dissatisfaction
What were the goals of Augustus in his sculpture and architecture??
- to recreatwe the Golden Age fo architecture. - Augustus saw 5th century Greece as a high point in architectural and sculptural design. He was inpired by bulding like the parthenon.
- Pax Romana meanign the peace of Rome. It was key to Augustan rome. The battle of Actium marke dthe end of civil war. Augustus soufht ot promote himself as bringer of peace
- Pax Decorum meanign the peace of Gods. This was also a key concept for Romans. If the GOdswere appeased then Rome woudl flush. If they were angered, then the romans woudl suffer.
- self and family promotion. Although Augustus gave the impression of ROme being a republic, he deffo wanted to promote himself and his damilly so he emphaissed his family’s links other than the fods, while promoting future heirs
When was the Prima porta made?
20-15AD
who was the Prima porta comissioned by/
the senate in honour of Augustus
what is the material fo the Prima porta?
marble
Where wsd the original location of the Prima porta?
Livia’s villa in Prima Porta, nine miles noth of Rome
What is the prima POrta of?
Augustus
what is the significance of the prima porta?
example of how Augustus wished ot be seen by the roman peopel
where was livia’s house? who was she?
It was in the town of Prima Porta, which sat on the ain northern road into Rome. It woudl have been viewed frequently.
Livia was Augustus’ wife
What wasd the Prima porta based on ?
the Doryphous (spear bearer) sculptured byu Polykleitos artound 440 BC. It was praised as the depiction of the ideal man. The sculptor of the prima porta has used this and Romanised it to promote the Augustan ideal..
What is so special about the prima porta, who doe sit differ?
- A’s right arm is raised - similar to the pose of an emperor or general to address the army AD LOCUTIO. this creates an imafe of power and militaery succes, that he woudl be able to bring
- The clothing:
- he is wearing a senatorial toga around the waist
- he is also inn armour, protraying him as a soldier. THe breastplate contsins many religious images on it showing he can balance both aspects - the standards - on the breast plate demonstrte peace
- The statue of cupid is at the feed of Augustus and cupid sits on the back of a Diving dolphin. THis related to venus as dolphins were also one of her animals. It also links to the battle of Actium which is a symbol do success
- he has bare feet - usually reserved for gods or heroes = emphasises how he is the son of a god as JC was deifyed and a temple was made for him
why is there debate over when the prima porta was made?
he has bare feet - usually reserved for gods or heroes = emphasises how he is the son of a god as JC was deifyed and a temple was made for him
this may have caused outrage with romans (because of how he was depicting himself?)
but like also, and this is imo- the Doryphoros of Polykleitos was also barefoot so like idk?
what is the Roman name for cupid?
EROS
